As NBA Season Begins Skyforce Alumni Embrace Roles

The Miami Heat begin the quest for a third consecutive title. Derrick Rose is back for the Bulls. Indiana has title hopes. Doc Rivers is the new sheriff in L.A.

As the NBA spotlight shines, former members of the Sioux Falls Skyforce will play their part. Two of those players spent time on assignment, Amir Johnson of the Toronto Raptors and Arnett Moultrie of the Philadelphia 76ers. Number three is Greg Stiemsma was cut by Minnesota at the end of last season, but promptly picked up by the newly dubbed New Orleans Pelicans. Guard Donald Sloan is with the Pacers after going from the NBA to the D-League, back to the NBA, D-League again then China.

Three players are notable by their absence from an NBA roster. Shot-blocker Jarvis Varnado picked up a ring with Miami this past June after proving himself with the ‘Force to start the 2012-2013 campaign. He was cut from the Heat two-thirds of the way through camp. Another is Andrew Goudelock who was the first round pick of Sioux Falls in the 2012 D-League draft and MVP of the NBADL last year before scoring 12 per game in the playoffs for the Kobe Bryant-less Lakers. He left the Purple and Gold as a free agent and is now playing in Russia. Reggie Williams was the last player cut from the Houston Rockets after signing as a free agent this past summer.